How to travel from Basel to Lucerne

Sun, Aug 23
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Travel by train, bus with
SBB
BlaBlaCar
Gruppo Di Maio
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)
Bartolini Turismo
1,000+ more
SBB
BlaBlaCar
Gruppo Di Maio
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)
Bartolini Turismo
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Basel to Lucerne

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Basel to Lucerne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $27. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 1h 6m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $27, and a bus costs an average of $12.

Distance: 49 miles (79 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

$36

Average price

Cheapest

$42

Average price

$77

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

1h 40m

Average total duration

1h 10m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 36m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 6m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 13m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

SBB

Most popular train company

BlaBlaCar

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Basel to Lucerne is a train with an average price of $36 (€29).

This is compared to other travel options from Basel to Lucerne:

A train is $7 (€5) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Basel to Lucerne costing on average $42 (€34).

The fastest way to travel from Basel to Lucerne is by bus with an average journey time of 1h 6m.

Other travel options to Lucerne take longer:

Train takes on average 1h 10m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Basel and Lucerne including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Basel to Lucerne among Omio's users.

Travel options
from Basel to Lucerne

How to get from Basel to Lucerne by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Basel to Lucerne is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • SBBIC 21 659 | 659
    5:04 AM1h01
    Basel SBB
    6:05 AMLucerne station
    $251One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • SBBIC 21 659 | 659
    5:04 AM1h01
    Basel SBB
    6:05 AMLucerne station
    $251One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • SBBIC 21 659 | 659
    5:04 AM1h01
    Basel SBB
    6:05 AMLucerne station
    $251One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • SBBIC 61 607 | 607 · RE 24 4709 | 4709
    5:24 AM1h31
    Basel SBB
    6:55 AMLucerne station
    $251One-way
    1 transfer
  • SBBIC 2349 | 2349
    1:00 AM1h17
    Basel SBB
    2:17 AMLucerne station
    $261One-way
    0 transfers
  • SBBIC 21 663 | 663
    7:04 AM1h01
    Basel SBB
    8:05 AMLucerne station
    $281One-way
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

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How to get from Basel to Lucerne

The Best Way According to our Users

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from Basel to Lucerne, 100,00% of our customers choose the train as their preferred mode of transportation. By traveling by train on this route, you can enjoy the comfort of spacious seats, spectacular views—and in some cases free Wi-Fi—in both second and first class. Our customers have decided that the train is the best way to get from Basel to Lucerne and have chosen to enjoy this fast, safe and efficient way to arrive at their destination. Taking the train also avoids long lines or potential expenses for transfers to/from the station—especially since most main railway stations are located in the city center. Train companies in Europe vary from country to country, but most of them offer high-speed train routes, therefore when you add up at the end-to-end journey time, the train is often also the fastest way to get to your destination.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from Basel to Lucerne. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: Travel from Basel to Lucerne

Travel to Lucerne easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Basel to Lucerne.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Basel and Lucerne including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Basel to Lucerne is a train with an average price of $36 (€29).

This is compared to other travel options from Basel to Lucerne:

A train is $7 (€5) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Basel to Lucerne costing on average $42 (€34).

The fastest way to travel from Basel to Lucerne is by bus with an average journey time of 1h 6m.

Other travel options to Lucerne take longer:

Train takes on average 1h 10m.

The distance from Basel to Lucerne is approximately 49 miles (79 km).
The average frequency per day from Basel to Lucerne is:
  • Around 12 trains per day.
  • Around 3 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Basel and Lucerne as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Basel to Lucerne:
  • Trains mostly depart from Basel SBB and arrive in Lucerne station.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Basel to Lucerne, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with SBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), Südostbahn to go to Lucerne by train.
  • Travel with BlaBlaCar, Gruppo Di Maio, Bartolini Turismo to go to Lucerne by bus.
Yes, there are direct services available from Basel to Lucerne with the following travel companies:
  • 4 direct trains per day with SBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), Südostbahn.
  • 3 direct buses per day with BlaBlaCar, Gruppo Di Maio, Bartolini Turismo.
Omio customers who travel from Basel to Lucerne often also extend their vacation to go to Zurich, Milan, Interlaken, Paris, Bern. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Lucerne and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Lucerne to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Lucerne, you can enjoy a picturesque boat tour or scenic walk by Lake Lucerne, explore the charming Old Town with its cobblestone streets and historic landmarks, and visit the Richard Wagner Museum. Take a scenic cruise on Lake Lucerne for breathtaking mountain views or ride the world's steepest cogwheel railway to Mount Pilatus. Don't miss the historic Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument, and the interactive Swiss Museum of Transport. For panoramic views, visit Mount Pilatus via cable car or cogwheel railway and explore the medieval Museggmauer city wall with its nine towers.
To fully enjoy Lucerne's key attractions such as Mount Pilatus, Lake Lucerne, and the Chapel Bridge, spending 2 to 3 days is ideal. This allows ample time for exploration and experiencing the city's charm.
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